This week and weekend, holiday-themed theatre offerings abound at River & Rail Theatre Company, Clarence Brown Theatre, and Theatre Knoxville Downtown. While I haven’t heard of any sing-alongs, Nief-Norf is sponsoring its annual participatory “walk-along” Unsilent Night. And, of course, there is music coming from every direction. Scroll down to get some details.
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River & Rail Theatre Company – It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play
Adapted by Joe Landry and directed by Emily Ernst, this American holiday classic comes to life as a live 1940s radio broadcast. (Photo above)
“With the help of an ensemble that brings a few dozen characters to the stage, the story of idealistic George Bailey unfolds as he considers ending his life one fateful Christmas Eve.”
River & Rail Theatre Company at the Old City Performing Arts Center, 111 State Street
Preview on Thursday, December 7; Opening Friday, December 8; Through December 23.
Thursdays – Saturdays at 7:30 PM, Sunday afternoon at 2:30 PM
Tickets and Information
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Clarence Brown Theatre – A Christmas Carol
This CBT tradition continues through December 21. Directed by Patrick Lanczi, this version of the Dickens Christmas classic was adapted by Edward Morgan and Joseph Hanreddy, with music by John Tanner. Read the Arts Knoxville review.
Clarence Brown Theatre on the University of Tennessee Campus
Tickets and Information
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Nief-Norf: Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night
A unique participatory event.
“Composed in 1992, Phil Kline’s Unsilent Night is a mobile soundscape in which the audience becomes the performer. Each participant plays one of four tracks via an app and a Bluetooth speaker, and the group walks outdoors on a carefully selected route. There is no experience or performance necessary — all you need to do is carry a speaker! The multi-track electronic piece is 45 minutes long, creating unlimited soundscapes and experiences for participants and onlookers as it travels throughout space and time.”
RSVP your intention to participate here.
Thursday, December 7: Meet outside Knoxville Convention Center & Sunsphere (location linked) at 7:00 PM
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Theatre Knoxville Downtown: A Tuna Christmas
Last week of performances for this comedy by Jaston Williams, Joe Sears, and Ed Howard; directed by Margy Ragsdale and Ed White – runs through Sunday, December 10
“A Tuna Christmas is a broad comedy set in the fictional town of Tuna, Texas. The plot centers on the town’s annual Christmas Yard Display Contest.”
Theatre Knoxville Downtown, 800 S. Central Street
Tickets and Information
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Knoxville Museum of Art: Soundscapes at the KMA
Formerly known as “Alive After Five,” the new series promises to take a fusion approach to its evening of music and art.
Friday, December 8, 7:00 PM – “My Favorite Things” – Read the Arts Knoxville preview
Tickets
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Jubilee Community Arts: Jeff Barbra and Sarah Pirkle
Friday, December 8, 8:00 PM – Jubilee Community Arts at the Laurel Theatre
“Jeff Barbra and Sarah Pirkle have been married for 26 years, and make their home in Walland, Tennessee in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains national park. They are 1st place winners of the Chris Austin Songwriting Contest at MerleFest. Their duo album, The Barb Hollow Sessions was released on January 1, 2004. The album debuted at # 6 on the Roots Music Report National Bluegrass Airplay Charts. The single, “Bury Me In The Red Clay” peaked at # 12 on the Bluegrass Unlimited National Bluegrass Chart for November 2004. They released a gospel album, Family Singing in 2012. Their latest album Sweet Creation was recorded in 2018. In 2021 Sarah received a South Arts Folk & Traditional Arts Master Artist Fellowship.”
Tickets available at TicketLeap, see http://www.jubileearts.org/
$20 at the door, $15 General Audience Advance, $14 JCA members, students & seniors 65+
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Appalachia: A Southeastern Wind Symphony Presents “Holiday Spectacular”
Appalachia: A Southeastern Wind Symphony launches their sixth season with “Holiday Spectacular!” Musical selections include “A Christmas Fantasy” by Jim Curnow, “Christmas Overture” by Samuel-Coleridge Taylor, and “Russian Christmas Music” by Alfred Reed, along with arrangements of “Concert Suite/The Polar Express,” “O Holy Night,” “Celtic Carol,” and “A Hanukkah Festival.”
Artistic Director, and graduate of The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Logan Campbell, will lead the ensemble of students from colleges across the southeast.
“Holiday Spectacular”
December 9, 7:00 PM
Seymour High School, 732 Boyds Creek Hwy, Seymour, TN 37865
FREE
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UT College of Music: Appalachian String Band
